SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — At 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, on practice field No. 3, manager Warren Schaeffer and his coaching staff huddled with the Rockies’ position players. It was time for what the ultra-detailed spring training schedule called T.T.G. (Talking The Game). For 15 minutes, the players focused on one thing: the contact play, in which a baserunner at third base breaks for home if the ball is not hit directly at an infielder. Bench coach Jeff Pickler, third base coach Andy Gonzalez, first base coach Doug Bernier, assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco and Schaeffer all took players aside to point out the nuances of the contact play. Schaeffer acknowledged that the Rockies were bad at baserunning — and many other baseball basics — during Colorado’s miserable 119-loss season in 2025. He is intent on changing the narrative, and it starts with a back-to-basics approach at the team’s Salt River Fields complex. “The individual skills and defensive work and baserunning work, it’s all tailored to what the players need,” Schaeffer said. “(We have) a higher coach-to-play ratio now. We are teaching the game, and players are getting what they need. “Players aren’t just going out there and taking groundballs just for the sake of it. There is real, intentional work going on.” A fresh approach Schaeffer, the interim manager for much of last season after taking over when Bud Black was fired in May, is running a big-league camp for the first time. He believes major changes are necessary for the Rockies to break out of a seven-year losing streak that includes three consecutive 100-loss seasons. Schaeffer sought counsel from all his coaches, especially new bench coach Jeff Pickler, as he formulated his spring training blueprint. Of course, it’s still very early — Wednesday marked just the second full-squad workout, and Colorado’s first Cactus League game is Friday — but the players are giving a hearty thumbs up to “Camp Schaeffer.” “The energy around here is great,” center fielder Brenton Doyle said. “The vibes around here are really good; something I haven’t felt around here in previous years. There is a lot of good stuff going on, and I think a lot of people are going to buy into it.” One thing’s for sure: players are going to get more sleep during their 42-day stint in the desert. In recent years, the players were often in the batting cages by 7 a.m, trying to hone their swing with sleep still in their eyes. Schaeffer changed that, aiming for the Rockies to be fresh when they open the regular season on March 27 in Miami. “No. 1, everything is important,” the manager said. “So, we’re pushing the guys’ morning schedule back and giving them time to get ready for the day, and not having to wake up at 5 a.m. Doyle, 28, welcomes the change. “I used to be able to roll out of bed and just go play,” he said. “It’s different for me now. I’m glad things have changed, and the schedule is much better than in the past. ‘Schaeff’ has given us time to get warmed up and get ready, so that when we do go on that field, it doesn’t feel rushed. Camp is very scheduled and very detailed. There is not a lot of wasted time.” Players take the field for drills during morning practice at spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) Related Articles Kyle Freeland, Rockies’ new player rep, preparing for labor battle with MLB Rockies’ Kris Bryant ‘in pain every day,’ can’t play baseball but not retiring Rockies’ Tomoyuki Sugano eyes another chance vs. Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Rockies’ 10 biggest spring training questions start with pitching Zac Veen’s sobriety leaves room for hope for Rockies career, healthier life | Renck File Catcher Hunter Goodman, Colorado’s lone All-Star last season, came to Arizona determined to get better defensively and to become a better game-caller. He welcomes the chance to hone his craft. “I need this, 100%,” he said. “There is a lot more time in the schedule for individual stuff. Our catchers’ work, for example. We are getting 25-30 minutes a day, just working on catching stuff and not doing anything else. It’s a change, for sure. “In the past, we would just be catching bullpens and trying to do our own work in between bullpens. Having a set time to do individual work has been nice. I think they are giving us the tools to succeed.” Goodman slashed .278/.323/.520 with 31 homers last season, while starting 97 games behind the plate, and lining up as the designated hitter 39 times. Schaeffer believes there is more offensive firepower in Goodman’s game, and he wants the catcher to find it this spring — and hold onto it. “Historically, catchers have always just gotten through spring training,” Schaeffer said. “It’s like, ‘Let’s get through this.’ Now, (we have) intentional time built into the day for them to get better at their craft. “They’re still going to catch their bullpens; the day’s set up for that. And that’s valuable. But they have time to work on their defense and their hitting. A lot of times in spring, the catchers’ hitting gets neglected. And our catcher is the best hitter on our team. So, we can’t neglect that time.” Infielder/Outfielder, Vimael Machin, runs bases during morning practice at spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) Blending technology and old-fashioned instruction Among Colorado’s weaknesses last season, starting pitching was the most glaring. A 6.65 ERA for the starting rotation, the worst in major league history, crippled the team’s ability to compete. In an attempt to fix that, new pitching coach Alon Leichman, assistant coach Gabe Ribas, bullpen coach Matt Buschmann, and pitching coordinator Matt Daniels were brought on board. They’re tasked with using technology, analytics and old-fashioned instruction to fix the problems. Right-hander Chase Dollander, who has the best pure stuff on the staff, struggled last year as a rookie, going 2-12 with a 6.52 ERA in 21 starts. Dollander said he welcomes his spring training tutorials. “There is definitely a lot more individual teaching going on,” he said. “The coaches are doing a deep dive into the analytics and the mechanical stuff that you need. They present it to you in an understandable way. “Of course, it’s also up to you to approach them and talk about certain things that you need to understand. But it’s been great. These are smart guys with smart stuff.” On Wednesday, lefty starter Kyle Freeland, right-handed starter Ryan Feltner, and closer candidate Victor Vodnik threw in the main stadium at Salt River. The Rockies wanted to take advantage of the Statcast-applicable tracking technology in the ballpark. Of course, there is always the danger of paralysis by too much analysis. Schaeffer, however, doesn’t think that will be a problem. He’s confident his pitching coaches can translate spin rates, biomechanics data and grip adjustments in language the pitchers will grasp. “That’s why we hired these guys,” Schaeffer said. “They are extremely smart, and they all know that data. They might go in different directions sometimes, but they come together in the best interest of the player. It’s been fun to watch, so far. They can give it to (the pitchers) in layman’s terms, which is huge. And it’s huge for me, too.” Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis. ...read more read less